Candy cane cars. Practical joke. The team find candy canes on their cars/ front doors/ in their bag. December 4th. Who is to blame though? Sam's point of view.

I walk into the mission with the offending object still in my hands. The candy cane with the green and red note attached with the saying 'You've been Caned' that was left on my car windscreen. Kensi, Deeks and G are all talking as I storm into the bullpen and slam the candy cane down on the desk.

'What you got there big guy?' G asks as they all face me surprised.

'A candy cane some muppet left it on my car windscreen this morning.'

'You got one too? I had one taped to my windscreen too. I thought it was quite Christmassy.' Kensi asks me, diving in her drawer and producing an identical candy cane from inside the note still attached.

'Wait you had one too?' Deeks points to Kensi as he also produces an identical candy cane. I shake my head. This is unbelievable .

'G?' I look to my partner. It's strange that we've all found candy canes today. It's a little creepy.

'Does yours have a note on it too? Saying 'You've been caned.'

'Yeah.' I answer him.

'Yeah I had one too taped to my front door, I thought it was one of the neighbourhood kids. Took no notice of it.'

'Watch it Eric! Watch where you're going.' Melissa warns Eric outside the bullpen. 'Blame the kids why don't you?' Melissa jokingly comments as she arrives.

'Morning Mels. Have you had a candy cane today?' G asks her almost immediately. She seems surprised by the question but none the less answers.

'No, why?'

We all show her the identical candy canes with the note. She laughs as she takes Kensi's and reads the note. Melissa rummages in her bag as she sits down. Her face drops as she spots something in her bag…

'Someone's trying to spread the festive cheer. Hold on…Wait a sec. That wasn't in here earlier…'

'What is it Mels?' I stand up as she too produces a matching candy cane.

'It wasn't in here earlier! Someone's messed with my bag. Not cool.'

'So we've all had candy canes?' Deeks asks.

'Yep.' Kensi answers as Melissa pulls out the contents of her bag onto the desk. Her diary, keys, pink butterfly purse, a pen, a tin of some kind…

'Nothing's missing.' She concludes as she starts putting the items back in her bag. 'But who would do this?'

'I did it!' The culprit owns up from the bullpen entrance. We all turn to face them in astonishment. It's only Eric in the bullpen entrance! I laugh despite my anger. I look over to Melissa who simply stares at Eric. She doesn't believe him either.

'You seriously want us to believe it was you?' I can't believe Eric is behind this he must be covering for someone.

'Well I did do it?'

'He's covering for Nell.' G assumes. Eric stands up a little straighter looking frustrated by the fact we don't believe him.

'No I did it. Nell is innocent.' He proclaims.

'You gave us candy canes?' Kensi checks. 'Why?'

'Spreading the Christmas cheer. It's meant as a practical joke.' Eric shrugs with a smile

'You messed with my bag.' Melissa answers dangerously and Eric takes a step back as she stands up. 'Not cool dude!'

'Gotta go. Needed up in Ops!' Eric darts off scared. He should do everyone knows never mess with a girls bag! I'm surprised when Melissa doesn't go after him. She probably figures he can't run away forever. I'm not getting involved but if Melissa catches him his little joke will cost him. I laugh again. G sniggers as Deeks and Kensi also laugh before starting back to what they were doing. Eric what have you gotten yourself into this time buddy?